Lung Cancer: Alternative, Complementary, and Palliative Care

Some people turn to unconventional methods to ease the symptoms of lung cancer.

They aren't cures, but several alternative and complementary approaches are available to help with lung cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.

A "complementary therapy" is used along with your normal medical care, while an "alternative therapy" is given in place of standard medical care.

Sometimes, people with lung cancer are interested in exploring palliative care, which aims to improve your quality of life and make you more comfortable.

Alternative and Complementary Methods to Ease Symptoms

Some common alternative and complementary therapies used for lung cancer include:

Acupuncture This traditional Chinese practice involves inserting small needles to stimulate certain points on your body. It's typically used to relieve pain and ease the side effects of lung cancer treatments, such as nausea or vomiting. But the therapy isn't safe if you take blood thinner medicines or have low blood counts.

Talk to your doctor before taking any type of supplement, because some can interfere with other treatments you might be receiving.

Meditation Taking time to quietly reflect and focus your mind may help lower stress if you have cancer. You can perform meditation exercises on your own or find an instructor to lead you.

Yoga This ancient form of exercise combines gentle stretches with meditation and breathing techniques. Yoga may help you sleep better and stay more relaxed.

Massage Having a massage can loosen tight muscles, relieve pain, and ease anxiety. Some massage therapists specialize in treating cancer patients. But, you should steer clear of massages if you're taking blood thinners or have low blood counts.

Essential Oils Aromatherapy, which involves the use of essential oils from plants, may reduce stress, anxiety, and other symptoms associated with cancer. Essential oils are usually inhaled or applied to the skin in a diluted form. Examples include lavender, jasmine, peppermint, frankincense, and rosemary.

Medical Marijuana Marijuana contains active chemicals called cannabinoids, which cause drug-like effects throughout the body. It has no definitive proven medical benefits, but there are some studies that suggest it may help with some symptoms. It's often used to reduce nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite in cancer patients. Many people also report less pain, stress, and anxiety after using marijuana.

Medical marijuana isn't legal in every state, but a growing number have passed laws to allow it. It should be noted that marijuana obtained outside a medical setting can be very strong, and occasionally combined with other recreational drugs that may be harmful.

Hypnosis Some people feel better and improve their thought processes after being hypnotized. Additionally, hypnosis can help with nausea, pain, and anxiety. This method is also commonly used to help smokers quit.

Precautions When Using Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Many alternative and complementary therapies haven't been proven to work, and some may even be dangerous. The American Cancer Society suggests you should use caution when trying any of these approaches.

Look for "red flags" that might indicate fraud. For example, if the product or therapy claims that it's a "cure" and you can stop your standard medical treatment, you should be skeptical.

Always talk to your doctor before trying any unconventional therapy, so you can make an informed decision.

Palliative Care to Improve Quality of Life

Palliative care is a special approach that focuses on relieving pain and making you more comfortable. While doctors in many specialties receive training in palliative care, many institutions have a team of nurses and doctors who specialize in providing this type of care. These experts will work with your primary care physician and oncologist.

The goal of palliative care isn't to cure a person, but to improve his or her quality of life.

While some people decide to have palliative care when their treatments stop working, you can have it at any time. In fact, palliative care can be effectively given while you're receiving standard medical therapies aimed to cure the lung cancer.

Some palliative care approaches include talk therapy, medication, and relaxation techniques. Complementary strategies are sometimes used as a part of palliative care to make you more comfortable.

If you're interested in palliative care, ask your doctor for a referral.

Patients who opt out of Treatment can Benefit From Supportive Care

Some people may opt for no medical treatment at all, especially if the lung cancer is advanced.

If you do decide to forego treatment, remember that you can still receive supportive and palliative care to manage pain and discomfort.

Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before deciding not to get treatment for lung cancer.